posted on September 2, 2001 09:39:59 PM new
My wife had me switch channels to see Jerry Lewis and his telethon. I couldn't believe how bad Jerry looked, he must have put on 100 pounds. In contrast Ed McMahon must have lost 100 pounds. Jerry does looks ill. My wife is positive he's on steroids for his heart because of his face and shakes.
I loved his movies when I was a kid, and as an adult I respect his dedication to his cause. It is sad to see him looking different than my mental image has always been.
posted on September 2, 2001 11:08:07 PM new
OMG...I just tune in, an Yakov Smirnoff is on..HE isn't dead yet????..Well, his ACT sure is!!!! Still waitin to see Jerry
Keith
I assume full responsibility for my actions, except
the ones that are someone else's fault.
posted on September 2, 2001 11:45:24 PM new
Seems that many disabled people hate him:
"The telethon is a bizarre recipe for entertainment and an incredibly
lucrative fundraising phenomenon. It raised more than $50 million
last year for research and support services. The MDA sends kids
with muscular dystrophy to camp, buys them wheelchairs, and
promotes scientific developments for a cure. So why do so many
disability rights advocates oppose the telethon?
It's not just a matter of good taste. Since the 1980s activists such
as Jerry's Orphans, a group of former Jerry's kids, have rallied
against the telethon because they believe it projects degrading
stereotypes about people with disabilities. As if the stigma of
being associated with Ed McMahon wasn't enough, Blane
Beckwith, a Berkeley disability activist told the Bay Guardian,
"Jerry keeps putting out the 'pity' message at the same time we're
trying to get equality. We work all year trying to gain recognition."
The telethon's portrayal of helpless, pitiable disabled people
"keeps us doing damage control half the time."
Harriet Johnson, a Charleston, N.C.-based lawyer who has one of
the diseases the MDA focuses on, said, "He makes it seem like
we have one foot in the grave and that our only hope for any
happiness is in Jerry finding a cure."
Activists say they're not as concerned about finding a cure as they
are about disabling social and physical barriers to equality. As
Beckwith asked, "Are you really going to hire someone you pity?""
posted on September 3, 2001 05:04:52 AM new
My brother died from complications arising from his Muscular Dystrophy in 1988. As far as I could see, the few times my mom ever called the MDA for references, advice, etc. they were totally useless. She had better luck and got more information from city run Independent Living organizations, etc.
I think the MDA has become one of those organizations that exists merely to continue its existence. I'd love to see how much of their budget actually goes into research. Sure they show the kids going to camp - it's probably the most worthwhile thing they do.
If you took the total population afflicted with MD, MS, and ALS, the number would be very small. There's not a lot of money to be made in finding a cure, so I doubt we'll see one very soon.
posted on September 3, 2001 05:07:09 AM new
Jerry Lewis gives me the creeps. They think he is wonderful in France I hear.
Does he still chain smoke on stage or is that not PC anymore?
posted on September 3, 2001 09:19:16 AM new
gravid - I agree Lewis is creepy. Late last night there was nothing on TV so as I was channel surfing and came across the telethon. I was shocked at how he looked! I agree that he must be on steriods, he has that typical moon face which is a side affect from taking them long term.
Do they ever have any popular celebrities or is everyone that appears a washed up has been?
posted on September 3, 2001 09:33:54 AM new
When I was a little kid, I thought Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis were funny. But Lewis now gives me the creeps. I haven't watched the telethon since around 1976. I remember it being on while we were staying in a very chilly cabin in Lake George. It gave us the incentive to get our butts out of bed, get dressed, and get on the road. I didn't think I could have stood another moment trapped there with Jerry Lewis.
posted on September 3, 2001 10:24:20 AM new
As a kid Jerry Lewis was the funniest thing in the theater. As an adult his humor hasn't done so well for me. His movies with Dean Martin are down right bad. I do think some of his solo performances had merit, I consider his "Nutty Professor" a classic. Lewis had a good supporting role recently in a movie called "Funny Bones" and his performance in Scorsese's "The King of Comedy" was Oscar worthy (so was DeNiro's.)
There is one movie Jerry Lewis made that I've always been curious about "The Day the Clown Cried." Lewis says it doesn't exist, but too many others have sworn it does. The movie was made in 1972 and is about a Nazi clown that entertains children at a death camp during WW2. The rumors are it won't be released till after his death.
posted on September 3, 2001 12:12:13 PM new
From a site called "The Official Jerry Lewis Comedy Museum and Store":
In 1971, producer Nate Waschberger asked Jerry to direct and star in "The Day the Clown Cried", based on Joan O’Brien’s book by the same name, about a German clown who was arrested by the Gestapo, interred in a concentration camp, and used to march Jewish children into the ovens. Jerry lost close to 40 pounds to play the role. The shooting began in Stockholm, but Waschberger not only ran out of money to complete the film, but he failed to pay Joan O’Brien the money she was owed for the rights to the story. Jerry was forced to finish the picture with his own money. The film has been tied up in litigation ever since, and all of the parties involved have never been able to reach an agreeable settlement. Jerry hopes to someday complete the film, which remains to this day, a significant expression of cinematic art, suspended in the abyss of international litigation.
posted on September 3, 2001 01:40:17 PM newWhat a horrific image.
Imagine a comedy where a father has convinced his son that they are in a concentration camp as part of a game and they are competing for a prize of a tank.
It might sound twisted or obscene but that was the plot behind "Life is Beautiful" and it is one of my favorite movies made in the 90s.
BTW, I'm convinced that the odds of Jerry Lewis won't be around next year's telethon aren't good. He looks really bad.
posted on September 3, 2001 03:20:07 PM new
Oh my, I finally got a chance to see him. He looks a lot like my dad did before he passed away. The puffy face & neck with the skinny fingers & shaky hands. Hubby & I are betting he's on Prednisone (emphysema medication).
posted on September 3, 2001 03:24:25 PM new
Yeah I went and took a look. He has a pulsy also - his hands shake.
He seems to have lost some of that mean streak that surfaced so easy.
Sort of sad now instead of creepy.
I am sure he has good motives.
The big desk with the elevated chair is a cheap trick. Makes sure there is no show of closeness with the person being interviewed.
posted on September 3, 2001 05:05:17 PM new
I'm sorry about your brother sadie. (-_-)
It sure makes me wonder where all that money goes. I wonder if 10 cents on the dollar actually makes it into research. (???)
Raising money for MD or any good cause is admirable, but I've heard that he's not all that nice to these kids,.....but then I've also heard he has them over for parties and things. I guess I've always kind of felt he was in it for the glory. (???)
posted on September 5, 2001 07:01:07 PM new
I feel Jerry is sincere in his efforts for all the right reasons. He wants a cure, but he wants it NOW! And people will send more money if the cause is attached to SOMEBODY rather than a faceless organization. He is in too much of a hurry which gives him that mean look and attitude, plus staying up for 24 hours. And to hell with those detractors. A cure and a full happy life for people is much more important to him than all their "dignity" stuffed in their graves.
posted on September 6, 2001 08:14:28 PM new
Back in the 70's I worked for MDAA as a District Director. At least then, they were pretty good about using the money as it should be used- research and patient service. They sure didnt use it to pay staff!!
We provided patients whatever they needed at no cost- ability to pay was unimportant as we charged noone. If your local MDAA office is not providing services you need- check with the National office- they may get the local working OR you may be expecting something they dont provide.
Back then, we DID NOT provide electric wheelchairs for anyone, the thought being if one patient got one, everyone should and it would have been way too expensive.
Local office can provide a list of what services and/or equipmwnt is available for MD patients.
I have no connection with them anymore, just adding some (dated) info to the discussion. If you want to know how they spend their money- there is an organization that audits charities and reports on how they spend their money. Ask your local United Way for details on this- something like the National Rating Council.
Hippy wannabe 
~^~